Trunk-fastening



(No Model.)

M. 0. HUTTON. TRUNK FASTENING No. 440,636. Patented Nov. 18, 1890.

witneomo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILTON C. HUTTON, OF GEORGETOWVN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO J. H. FAUBION AND J. PHIPPS, BOTH OF YVILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS.

TRUNK-FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 440,636, dated November 18, 1890.

Application filed May 13,1890. Serial No 351,611. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known thatI, MILTON O. HUTTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Georgetown, in th county of lVilliamson and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trunk-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in trunk-fastenings; and my object is to produce a combined catch and brace for the lid which shall be more effective and durable than those heretofore in use, and at the same time cheap and simple in construction.

With this end in view my invention consists in certain peculiarities of construction and combinations of parts, more fully described hereinafter, and set forth in the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a trunk provided with my improved fastening devices and shown unlocked with the lid thrown up 5 Fig. 2, a similar view with the lid closed down and secured, and Fig. 3 a crosssection through line 00 m of Fig.2.

The reference-letter A indicates the trunk proper, and B the lid, which is provided with the usual metal strip 0, running around its lower edges and fitting over the trunk, the latter being provided with facings l) D, one on each side of the lock.

I have shown apair of my fastening dc vices=-one at each end of the front side of the trunk; but as both are constructed alike a description of but one will be necessary.

A substantially semicircular cleat or block E is secured to the strip 0 by suitable rivets or brads, and in the inside face of this cleat or that surface adjacent to said strip is formed a semicircular recess or chamber F, provided with a groove or channel Gr, open at the end nearest the look, but closed at the opposite end, and bounded by the rib H. The outer surface of the block E projects over the rib to form a semicircular flange I. This cleat or block E forms one section of the catch, and the other portion consists of a circular disk J, secured to the front face of the trunk by the rivet or pivot K, extending through the facing D and a plate L on the inside. This disk is provided with a ring M, cast with it and projecting from it back of its periphery, and has also a segmental extension N, from the outer rim of which extends a flange 0, thus forming between it and the ring M a channel P. Lugs or finger-pieces Q project from the opposite inside faces of the ring M, and a disk is revolved by applying the thumb and forefinger to these lugs. Then the lid is shut down, the ring M will fit up to the rib H and beneath the flange I, and when the disk is revolved the flange 0 will enter the channel or groove G and travel to the end of the same, when it will be wholly contained within said groove, and the rib II will be occupying the channel P, and the lid thus tightly and securely fastened.

As before stated, one of these fastenings is shown on each side of the lock, and the disks are both arranged to be turned away from the latter in looking, so that they can be readily manipulated simultaneously, applying the right hand to one and the left to the other; but it is evident that catches might be located 011 opposite ends of the trunks, instead of the front. The advantages of this arrangement will be apparent. The lid is not only held securely down at both ends, but the trunk is braced on all sides, thus protecting the hinges and being better fitted to withstand rough usage. Another advantage is that in closing the lid when it has to be forced down the flanges will enter the grooves if the lid does not come squarely down, and upon coutinuing the revolution of the disk said flanges will travel in the curved grooves and draw down the lid to the proper position. Thus a compact, simple, and ornamental fastening device is produced, having no projections to catch on clothing, &c., and containing no hinges or springs to become broken, and at the same time combining strength, durability, and efficiency.

It is evident that many slight changes which might suggest themselves to a skilled me chanic could be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein'shown but,

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A trunk-fastening consisting of a stationary block having a segmental groove in its under side, a stop at one end of said groove, an overlapping flange projecting from the outside bounding-rib of said groove, a rotary disk having a segmental extension, a flange projecting from the outer surface of said extension and adapted to enter said segmental groove, a circular flange projecting from the outside surface of the disk and fitting beneath the overlapping flange of the stationary block, said circular flange forming with the segmental flange a groove arranged to be engaged by the bounding-rib of the groove in the block, and a pair of lugs located Within said circular flange and by means of Which the disk is turned, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MILTON O. HUTTON. Witnesses:

J. D. LOGAN, F. W. CAROTHERS. 

